Runners in the popular Chester MBNA 10K, ESSAR Half Marathon and MBNA Marathon have raised just over £24,000 during 2024 for West Cheshire Foodbank, it has been announced.

Event Director Callum Shields of Active Leisure Events said: “Two hundred and fifty runners raised funds over the three races during the events and to top this off a staggering 500kg of food was donated at the events and monthly training runs here in Chester, equating to an approximate monetary value of £1385.”

Operations Manager of West Cheshire Foodbank, Jo Jardine, said: “With donations reducing and the need for food increasing, we are very grateful for the support that has been given to us through the partnership with Active Leisure Events, and the support from everyone who ran on our behalf.”

“The food donated will provide emergency food for 25 families of 4 for 3 days, or 50 individuals in the local community.  As food donations reduce, we are needing to purchase ever increasing amounts food to ensure that we can meet the needs of those who need emergency food within our local community.  We are currently purchasing in the region of over 1 tonne of food a month, and the money that was raised will be used to help us to continue to support those who experience crisis within the local area.”

Commercial Director at Active Leisure Events, Chris Hulse, said: “We firmly believe that nobody in our community should have to face hunger, which is why we feel so fortunate to have partnered with the West Cheshire Foodbank. We knew our runners participating at our sellout events would get involved and support this amazing cause.

“We have always felt it really important to choose a race charity that supports our local community and selected the West Cheshire Foodbank for 2024 because of their direct impact on the community, providing support to those in crisis.”

For more information about the West Cheshire Foodbank visit: https://westcheshire.foodbank.org.uk/

To sign up for the MBNA Chester 10K, March 9, 2025, Essar Chester Half Marathon May 18, 2025; the MBNA Chester Marathon or Metric Marathon October 5, 2025, go to: www.activeleisureevents.co.uk.